UFC

Thiago Tavares (18-5-1, pictured left) is set to drop down to the featherweight divison for his next bout inside the octagon, according to a recent report from Combate. The Brazilian submission ace will welcome Russian debutant Zubair Tuhugov (15-3) to the UFC, with the pair set to throw down at UFC Fight Night 36.

The twenty nine year old Tavares, who is a UFC veteran with fourteen career bouts inside the octagon, has been beginning to show real consistency in recent years, justifying why many people predicted him as a future title contender when he first burst on the UFC scene back in April, 2007.

After winning three of his last four bouts and only suffering two defeats in his previous eight, Tavares will now be looking to continue that good form when he makes his featherweight debut in February. In his last outing at UFC Fight Night 32 last month he scored a submission victory over Justin Salas after locking in a rear-naked choke halfway through the first round and forcing the tapout.

Meanwhile the twenty-two year old Zubair Tuhugov is set for his promotional debut after compiling a six fight-winning streak, including a unanimous decision victory over Denys Pidnebesnyi (3-1) at CWFC 58 back in August, when UK-based promotion Cage Warriors held an event in Grozny, Chechnya. You can check that fight out in the video below.

Tuhugov, who is a Russian Combat Sambo national champion, most recently scored a knockout victory over Vaso Bakocevic (12-5-1) in October, courtesy of a first round spinning back kick.

UFC Fight Night 36 takes place on February 15th at the Arena Jaraguá in Jaraguá do Sul, Brazil. You can check out the updated card below and scroll on down to check out Tuhugov in action at CWFC 58.